Local Government Ministry prepares for live coverage of Assembly and Town Hall meetings to boost citizen participation and accountability.

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs is implementing measures to increase citizen participation in local governance, with a focus on District Assembly and town hall meetings. On September 14, 2026, Minister Mahama Ayariga convened a meeting with key stakeholders to explore ways to boost public engagement in the District Assembly process.

The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has been assigned the task of providing live coverage of these meetings, aiming to increase accessibility for citizens unable to attend in person. To facilitate effective coverage and overcome logistical hurdles, 51 pickup vehicles are planned to be distributed among Regional Spatial Planning Committees (RSPCs), the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), and GBC.

Recognizing the importance of generating public interest in Assembly meetings, the Minister emphasized the need to introduce measures that would pique citizens' curiosity and encourage greater involvement. He mentioned that expanding public engagement could improve the quality of participation in Assembly elections and prompt more citizens to actively participate in local governance.

Proposed initiatives include utilizing radio and other media platforms to inform the public about meeting dates, replay crucial discussions from past meetings, and create channels for the public to critique decisions, ask questions, and submit recommendations. This approach aims to provide Public Relations Officers (PROs) of various Assemblies with increased visibility and prompt Assembly Members to leverage media platforms more effectively to communicate development activities, policies, and decisions to their constituents.

The initiative is part of a broader strategy to bring governance closer to the people, enhance accountability, transparency, and citizen participation at the local level.